NHL cancels first two weeks of season

Harvey FialkovSouth Florida Sun-Sentinel

The NHL has canceled the start of the regular season through Oct. 24 or basically the first two weeks of the season because of the absence of Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and owners.

The Panthers will lose five games, including the season opener against Tampa Bay on Oct. 13, as well as home games against the Islanders on Oct. 18. Three road games have been canceled, including road matchups against the Capitals on Oct. 15, Tampa Bay on Oct. 19 and the Islanders on Oct. 22.

"The decision to cancel the first two weeks of the NHL season is the unilateral choice of the NHL owners,'' Fehr said in a statement. "If the owners truly cared about the game and the fans, they would lift the lockout and allow the season to begin on time while negotiations continue."A lockout should be the last resort in bargaining, not the strategy of first resort. For nearly 20 years, the owners have elected to lock out the players in an effort to secure massive concessions. Nevertheless, the players remain committed to playing hockey while the parties work to reach a deal that is fair for both sides. We hope we will soon have a willing negotiating partner.''